Printer smart folders using USB mass storage profile

ABSTRACT

A method for facilitating the configuration, resource installation, and direct printing of print jobs to a printer device from a host system that may not require installation of drivers or host software is described. The printer device is coupled to a host system via a universal serial bus (USB) interface. The printer device presents to the host system a USB mass storage profile that includes one or more smart folders. The printer device receives from the host system a data file and stores the data file in one of the one or more smart folders causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device. The corresponding action events may include setting-up a printer configuration, printing a print file or image file, installing a font file or an image file, and installing a firmware upgrade.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to managing print devices from a host system, and more particularly, to allowing the configuration, resource installation and direct printing of print jobs to a printer device from a host system that may not require installation of drivers or host software.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, in order to manage printer devices, such as changing configuration, installing resources, sending print jobs and updating the printer software to the latest version, the user can be required to install a host software and/or a driver before being able to access and communicate with the printer. This is cumbersome to the user, as it can require time and multiple steps to install, and may be confusing to the user as it also can require different sets of software for different operating systems or versions.

Therefore, a need exists for a method to allow users to manage the operations of printer devices without the burden of one or more software updates.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces facilitating the configuration, resource installation, and direct printing of print jobs to a printer device from a host system that may not require installation of drivers or host software.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for managing operations of a printer device can include the following steps. At the printer device, coupling to a host system via a universal serial bus (USB) interface; presenting to the host system a USB mass storage profile that includes one or more smart folders; receiving from the host system a data file; and storing the data file in one of the one or more smart folders causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device. A list of corresponding action events can include: 1) setting-up a printer configuration, 2) printing a print file or an image file, 3) installing a font file, 4) installing an image file, 5) installing a firmware upgrade. The print file can comprise a printer command language data stream or a supported image file or a document file, e.g. a PDF file. The one or more smart folders are presented as directories to the host system.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method for managing operations of a printer device can include the following steps. At a host system, recognizing a universal serial bus (USB) interface with a printer device; accessing, via the USB interface, a USB mass storage profile that is presented by the printer device; accessing one or more smart folders that present themselves in the USB mass storage profile; and moving or copying a data file to one of the one or more smart folders causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device.

The action events can include: 1) moving or copying an XML configuration file to a configuration smart folder causes a setup printer configuration update; 2) moving or copying a font file to an install fonts smart folder causes a download of the font file and subsequent installation of a downloaded font to a non-volatile memory in the printer device. 3) moving or copying an image file to an install images smart folder causes a download of an image file and subsequent installation of a downloaded image to a non-volatile memory in the printer device. 4) moving or copying a print file to a print smart folder causes the printer device to print the print file. The print file comprises either a printer command language data stream or a supported image file; 5) moving or copying a firmware file to an upgrade firmware smart folder causes the printer device to upgrade its firmware. The firmware file is stored in a firmware memory.

The method further includes accessing the one or more smart folders using a filesystem explorer application. Also, the one or more smart folders are presented as directories to the host system.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for managing operations of a printer device can include the following steps. By the user, coupling a host system and a printer device via a universal serial bus (USB) interface. The printer device presents to the host system a USB mass storage profile comprising one or more smart folders. On the host system, by the user: accessing the one or more smart folders using a filesystem explorer application, and moving and or copying a data file to one of the one or more smart folders causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device.

The action events can include: 1) moving or copying an XML configuration file to a configuration smart folder causes a setup printer configuration update; 2) moving or copying a font file to an install fonts smart folder causes a download of the font file and subsequent installation of a downloaded font to non-volatile memory in the printer device; 3) moving or copying an image file to an install images smart folder causes a download of an image file and subsequent installation of a downloaded image to non-volatile memory in the printer device. 4) moving or copying a print file to a print smart folder causes the printer device to print the print file; 5) moving or copying a firmware file to an upgrade firmware smart folder causes the printer device to upgrade its firmware.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system comprising a host system and a printer device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a smart folder functionality in a file system explorer presentation.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method to manage the operations of a printer device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces facilitating the configuration, resource installation, and direct printing of print jobs to a printer device from a host system that may not require installation of drivers or host software.

A printer device, presenting itself as a universal serial bus (USB) mass storage profile, connects to a host system (e.g. a computer). The USB mass storage profile is presented by the printer device to the host system via the USB interface. The USB mass storage profile includes a number of smart folders. These smart folders can allow an action event, or defined action event, on the printer device to be triggered by moving or copying a file from the host system to a selected smart folder. The action event on the printer device can include receiving print jobs, setup printer configuration, update firmware and download and installation of font and image files.

In other words, the USB mass storage profile is presented as directories of smart folders on the display of the host system. When an image or print file is dragged and placed in a print smart folder of the USB mass storage profile, the printing device prints the contents of the file. As previously noted, the USB mass storage profile can also include smart folders for setup printer configuration, downloading and installing fonts and images, and upgrading firmware.

Exemplary embodiments can be operating system agnostic and can utilize open standards defined by the USB specification supported by typical personal computer devices. The computer logic is implemented on the printer device side; hence the solution may not require any software installation or updates to the host system.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary embodiment system 100 comprising a host system 108 and a printer device 102. Host system 108 and printer device 102 are coupled together via USB interface 114. Printer device 102 includes printer memory 104. Printer memory 104 includes firmware memory 106. Host system 108 includes host memory 110 and host operating system 112. Printer device 102 presents to the host system 108 a USB mass storage profile 116 that includes one or more smart folders. A “smart folder” is a folder where one can drop files on your personal computer (PC), and once dropped to a directory, an action can be executed on the printer side (not on the PC), using the information in that file that was dropped into the smart folder.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a smart folder functionality 200 in a file system explorer presentation. The smart folder functionality 200 illustrates that moving or copying (i.e. dragging) a data file to one of the one or more smart folders causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device 102.

For example, dragging XML file 202 into configuration smart folder 212 causes a configuration setup for the printer settings of printer device 102. Similarly, by dragging print job 204 into print smart folder 218 causes printer device 102 to print out print job 204. Dragging a font file 206 into install fonts smart folder 214 causes the font file 206 to be installed directly into printer memory 104. The font file 206 can be, but not limited to, a true type font (TTF) or a bitmap font. Also, dragging an image file 208 into install images smart folder 216 causes image file 208 to be installed into printer memory 104. Dragging firmware binary file 210 into upgrade firmware smart folder 220 causes the firmware binary file 210 to upgrade firmware memory 106. Printer memory 104 can be non-volatile memory. One skilled in the art can recognize that other smart folders can be implemented for other printer functionalities.

FIG. 3 illustrates flowchart 300 exemplary embodiment of a method to manage the operations of printer device 102. The method includes the steps of:

User connects a printer device 102 and a host system 108 via a USB interface 114 (step 302)

Printer device 102 and a host system 108 recognize USB interface 114, and the printer device 102 presents itself as a USB mass storage profile 116 to the host system 108 (step 304)

User accesses, on host system 108, smart folders presented on USB mass storage profile 116 by printer device 102. (step 306)

User, on the host device, moves/copies files from host system 108 to smart folders causing a corresponding defined action event to be automatically triggered in printer device 102. (step 308)

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for managing operations of a printer device, the method comprising: coupling the printer device to a host system via a universal serial bus (USB) interface, the printer device having a USB mass storage profile in memory; presenting the USB mass storage profile from the printer device to the host system, wherein, the USB mass storage profile comprises one or more smart folders including at least one of: a first smart folder configured to cause printer configurations to be set-up; a second smart folder configured to cause font files to be installed; a third smart folder configured to cause image files to be installed; and a fourth smart folder configured to cause firmware upgrades to be installed; receiving a data file at the printer device from the host system, the data file having been moved or copied from the host system to one of the one or more smart folders; and storing the data file in the one of the one or more smart folders, thereby causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device; wherein the action event comprises at least one of: setting-up a printer configuration, when the data file comprises a configuration file having been stored in the first smart folder; installing a font file, when the data file comprises a font file having been stored in the second smart folder; installing an image file, when the data file comprises an image file having been stored in the third smart folder; and installing a firmware upgrade, when the data file comprises a firmware file having been stored in the fourth smart folder.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the one or more smart folders further comprises a print file, and wherein the print file comprises a printer command language data stream.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the one or more smart folders further comprises a print file, and wherein the print file comprises a supported image file.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the one or more smart folders are presented as directories to the host system.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more smart folders comprises each of: the first smart folder; the second smart folder; the third smart folder; and the fourth smart folder.
 6. A method for managing operations of a printer device having a USB mass storage profile in memory, the method comprising: accessing, via a USB interface, the USB mass storage profile from the printer device using a host system; accessing, via the USB interface, one or more smart folders that present themselves in the USB mass storage profile using the host system, wherein the one or more smart folders include at least one of: a first smart folder configured to cause printer configurations to be setup; a second smart folder configured to cause font files to be installed; a third smart folder configured to cause image files to be installed; and a fourth smart folder configured to cause firmware upgrades to be installed; and moving or copying, via the USB interface and using the host system, a data file at the printer device to one of the one or more smart folders to store the data file in the one of the one or more smart folders, thereby causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device; wherein the action event comprises at least one of: setting-up a printer configuration, when the data file comprises a configuration file having been stored in the first smart folder; installing a font file, when the data file comprises a font file having been stored in the second smart folder installing an image file, when the data file comprises an image file having been stored in the third smart folder; and installing a firmware upgrade, when the data file comprises a firmware file having been stored in the fourth smart folder.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the data file comprises an XML configuration file, and moving or copying the XML configuration file to the first smart folder causes the printer device to setup a printer configuration update.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the data file comprises a font file, and moving or copying the font file to the second smart folder causes a download of the font file and subsequent installation of a downloaded font to a non-volatile memory in the printer device.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the data file comprises an image file, and moving or copying the image file to the third smart folder causes a download of the image file and subsequent installation of a downloaded image to a non-volatile memory in the printer device.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein, moving or copying a print file to a print smart folder comprising one of the one or more smart folders causes the printer device to print the print file.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, the print file comprises either a printer command language data stream or a supported image file.
 12. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the data file comprises a firmware file, and moving or copying the firmware file to the fourth smart folder causes the printer device to upgrade its firmware.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the firmware file is stored in a firmware memory of the printer device.
 14. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: accessing the one or more smart folders using a filesystem explorer application.
 15. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the one or more smart folders are presented as directories.
 16. A method for managing operations of a printer device having a universal serial bus (USB) mass storage profile in memory, the method comprising: coupling, via a USB interface, a host system to the printer device, wherein, the printer device presents the USB mass storage profile from the printer device to the host system, the USB mass storage profile comprising one or more smart folders including at least one of: a first smart folder configured to cause printer configurations to be setup; a second smart folder configured to cause font files to be installed; a third smart folder configured to cause image files to be installed; and a fourth smart folder configured to cause firmware upgrades to be installed; and on the host system and via the USB interface: accessing the one or more smart folders using a filesystem explorer application, and moving or copying a data file at the printer device to one of the one or more smart folders causing a corresponding action event to automatically be triggered in the printer device, the data file stored in the one of the one or more smart folders; wherein the action event comprises at least one of: setting-up a printer configuration, when the data file comprises a configuration file having been stored in the first smart folder; installing a font file, when the data file comprises a font file having been stored in the second smart folder; installing an image file, when the data file comprises an image file having been stored in the third smart folder; and installing a firmware upgrade, when the data file comprises a firmware file having been stored in the fourth smart folder.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, the data file comprises an XML configuration file, and moving or copying the XML configuration file to the first smart folder causes the printer device to setup a printer configuration update.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, the data file comprises a font file, and moving or copying the font file to the second smart folder causes a download of the font file and subsequent installation of a downloaded font to a non-volatile memory in the printer device.
 19. The method according to claim 16, wherein, the data file comprises an image file, and moving or copying the image file to the third smart folder causes a download of the image file and subsequent installation of a downloaded image to a non-volatile memory in the printer device.
 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein, moving or copying a print file to a print smart folder comprising one of the one or more smart folders causes the printer device to print the print file.
 21. The method according to claim 16, wherein, the data file comprises a firmware file, and moving or copying the firmware file to the fourth smart folder causes the printer device to upgrade its firmware. 